new bandsaw
- Thread starter donduck2
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Don't know about the 10-324 but I have had the 10-325 for over 10 years and no problems. I have done a few upgrades but never had a mechanical breakdown or any other issues other than a drive belt that needed replacement due to age.
I upgraded the guide bearings and also replace the motor with the DVR motor. What a huge improvement that made. MY saw is now about the same as the 10-326DVR in features and power. I don't see me needing to replace this saw any time soon for my home shop use.
I do wish it had a safety interlock on the doors and a foot brake, but other than that I'm OK with it for the money. Paid $699 for the saw in 2006 plus the guide bearing kit was $99 and the DVR motor was a big chunk at $599 (in 2018) but worth every penny. I bet it would not be too difficult to fit that DVR motor on many 14" to 16" bandsaws. The DVR motor gives you infinitely variable speeds from 50 to 4000 FPM so you can cut plastics and metals with the right blades of course.
I upgraded the guide bearings and also replace the motor with the DVR motor. What a huge improvement that made. MY saw is now about the same as the 10-326DVR in features and power. I don't see me needing to replace this saw any time soon for my home shop use.
I do wish it had a safety interlock on the doors and a foot brake, but other than that I'm OK with it for the money. Paid $699 for the saw in 2006 plus the guide bearing kit was $99 and the DVR motor was a big chunk at $599 (in 2018) but worth every penny. I bet it would not be too difficult to fit that DVR motor on many 14" to 16" bandsaws. The DVR motor gives you infinitely variable speeds from 50 to 4000 FPM so you can cut plastics and metals with the right blades of course.
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Yes, I used the Rikon 13-926 DVR motor upgrade kit.https://www.rikontools.com/new-rikon-smart-dvr-control-motor-model-13-926
It was not cheap, about $600 IIRC (looking at their site just now looks like $699US from Striatech, slightly less at other sources). The 1.75HP/1250W motor kit from Striatech is available with either a NEMA 56C or B14 Metric motor frame.
So between that and what I paid for my 10-325 I spent as much as the newer 10-326DVR bandsaw, actually probably a little more when you throw in that I upgraded the guide bearings to the new style that are on the 10-326. During the course of upgrading my BS I went over everything. My BS now runs rock steady and smooth. It has more power, MUCH more, and variable speed from 50 to 4000 FPM where before it was a choice of one of two speeds on a stepped pulley.
So I would say looking at it purely from the numbers, if you already have the 10-325 the upgrade might be worth it. I do believe it would be possible to mount the DVR motor on another brand saw. You would most likely have to adapt the mount, but that shouldn't be too tough.
The DVR motor kit is made by Striatech for Rikon.https://striatech.mybigcommerce.com/shop-all/
I decided to take the chance of the Rikon upgrade kit as I have the NOVA DVR Lathe and it has performed over the 10+ years I have owned it. And NOVA has stood behind the tool. I contacted them once about 8 years after I got the lathe when I found out there was an upgrade to the control board. After sending them my serial number they sent me a new control board which was easy to install, simple plug and pray and I was up and running in 10 minutes.
Do a Google search on "Rikon DVR motor upgrade" and you should find some more info.
It was not cheap, about $600 IIRC (looking at their site just now looks like $699US from Striatech, slightly less at other sources). The 1.75HP/1250W motor kit from Striatech is available with either a NEMA 56C or B14 Metric motor frame.
So between that and what I paid for my 10-325 I spent as much as the newer 10-326DVR bandsaw, actually probably a little more when you throw in that I upgraded the guide bearings to the new style that are on the 10-326. During the course of upgrading my BS I went over everything. My BS now runs rock steady and smooth. It has more power, MUCH more, and variable speed from 50 to 4000 FPM where before it was a choice of one of two speeds on a stepped pulley.
So I would say looking at it purely from the numbers, if you already have the 10-325 the upgrade might be worth it. I do believe it would be possible to mount the DVR motor on another brand saw. You would most likely have to adapt the mount, but that shouldn't be too tough.
The DVR motor kit is made by Striatech for Rikon.https://striatech.mybigcommerce.com/shop-all/
I decided to take the chance of the Rikon upgrade kit as I have the NOVA DVR Lathe and it has performed over the 10+ years I have owned it. And NOVA has stood behind the tool. I contacted them once about 8 years after I got the lathe when I found out there was an upgrade to the control board. After sending them my serial number they sent me a new control board which was easy to install, simple plug and pray and I was up and running in 10 minutes.
Do a Google search on "Rikon DVR motor upgrade" and you should find some more info.
Birdhunter
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I have the Powermatic 14" and its been a great saw. Comes with a dust blower.
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Yes, if you already have a rikon it would be worth doing the upgrade on the motor. If you don't have any BS at present and you choice boiled down to the Rikon then the 10-326DVR would be a good choice provided it's capacity met your needs.
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Birdhunter said:
I am curious about the dust blower. Is it hype or does it really provide a benefit as in is it effective.
Then my second question is what makes it tick. Seems like it would be simple to add to most any BS but I say that with no knowledge of how it works. I was thinking of an aquarium air pump that started/stopped with the saw might do the trick.
